If eruptions continue, it's possible that evacuations may be ordered for residents of the villages near the volcano. Evacuations were planned as the volcano's activity grew ominous in mid-May, but were never carried out.

Popocatepetl is the second-highest volcano in Mexico, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Trans-Mexican Volcano belt. It was dormant since the 1950s before becoming active in 1994 — erupting occasionally with sometimes damaging results.

A large eruption in December 2000 caused mass evacuations of the Puebla state area around the volcano, although accurate prediction of the blast ensured that no one was hurt.

Volcano watchers can view a Mexican webcam stream of the volcano at this location. Tuesday, the webcam showed white smoke issuing from a seemingly quiet cone.